Challenges for agriculture in the face of climate change and soaring energy costs?

• Weather and climate phenomena are having repercussions on agricultural production.
• The surge in energy costs is significantly impacting the agricultural sector.
• The impacts of global warming and rising energy prices on food security and agriculture are beginning to emerge.
• Solutions to mitigate the consequences of climate change on agriculture.
• Potential solutions for sustainable and resilient agriculture in the face of climate and energy challenges
• Implementing training programs for students is a key issue in the transition toward decarbonized and more energy-efficient agriculture.

Agriculture is a highly strategic sector at the crossroads of numerous issues, including biotic stress and energy. The gradual rise in temperature, primarily caused by human activity, combined with the depletion of energy resources, is not without consequences for agricultural production. Faced with the disastrous effects of biotic phenomena and soaring energy costs, agriculture faces multiple challenges. With this in mind, we will first attempt to clarify the current situation in the agricultural sector despite these two phenomena, then proceed to an analysis of the long-term consequences, and finally conclude with potential solutions for adapting to and mitigating this change.

Weather and climate phenomena are having repercussions on agricultural production.

The report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) describes a 1.09-degree increase in global surface temperature since the industrial period. Weather phenomena are currently causing serious repercussions for agricultural production, and their impact is already being felt. Indeed, the increase in droughts and intense rainfall, combined with the use of pesticides, contributes to weakening the soil, which accelerates erosion. As a result, soils are losing their fertility. It has been revealed that the percentage of organic matter in the soil has reportedly fallen by 2% since the Second World War.

Furthermore, according to AGEFI, successive heatwaves are leading to the maladaptation of certain plant species and the emergence of new diseases and pests. Since the 1990s, we have seen a stagnation in wheat yields due to rising temperatures. Moreover, this excessive heat can cause significant evapotranspiration, which can lead to water stress in plants as well as poor grain filling, resulting in a loss of yield.

We must also add rising sea levels, which reduce available farmland, as well as the decrease in water resources, which can impact crops, particularly corn. Additionally, flooding causes problems for harvests.

The surge in energy costs is significantly impacting the agricultural sector.

Furthermore, the surge in energy costs is significantly impacting the agricultural sector. The increase in oil and gas prices is mainly caused by the Ukraine-Russia war, as they are the largest producers, but also by the increasing difficulty of extraction. This has consequences for agriculture. Currently, agricultural production costs have increased by 30% over one year due to this price surge. Energy is used by farmers for agricultural tools, nitrogen and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, phytosanitary products, and transport. Fertilizer prices have doubled this year compared to typical years, according to the price evolution curve presented by the Chamber of Agriculture. This increase in energy prices strongly impacts farmers, who see their operating expenses rise very rapidly, simultaneously affecting their gross margins. Furthermore, the surge in energy costs is significantly impacting the sector.

The impacts of global warming and rising energy prices on food security and agriculture are beginning to emerge.

Thus, if the effects of global warming and rising energy prices continue to be felt, several consequences will occur, particularly in the long term. The primary consequence remains food security. To combat world hunger, 3 billion tons of grain are harvested annually. If agricultural species do not adapt to rising temperatures, this quantity risks being halved. Africa is at the greatest risk of suffering the consequences because temperatures there are higher. By the end of the century, grain production in tropical countries could fall by 30%. It should also be noted that if yields in European countries also fall, they will no longer be able to export much.

Consequently, shortages in Africa are likely to be exacerbated. In the long term, the global market risks becoming unbalanced because those who exported their production surplus may stop doing so. With the surge in energy prices, the price of grain is also rising, now costing 400 euros per ton. Energy, a necessity for farmers, is becoming scarce. According to the article "Agriculture and Environment," electricity prices have tripled, leading consumers, particularly farmers, into denial. In the long term, this situation leads to over-indebtedness. Furthermore, if farmers reduce their energy consumption in the long term, production will also be impacted and will therefore decline. As a result, the industrial sector will also be affected.

"Climate change could affect corn and wheat production as early as 2030 under a high greenhouse gas emissions scenario. Corn crop yields are expected to decrease by 24%, while wheat could potentially see growth of about 17%." - NASA - November 2021

Solutions to mitigate the consequences of climate change on agriculture.

To mitigate these consequences, solutions are proposed either to promote change or to adapt. We can distinguish incremental adaptation, characterized by the adoption of agroecological practices without modifying the system. According to the IPCC, farmers could diversify their crops by introducing legumes—plants that, thanks to their nodules, capture nitrogen from the air and return it to the plant. This is explained by a symbiosis between bacteria and the roots. This would allow the farmer to gain nitrogen without having to buy fertilizers and also to enrich their soil with organic matter.

Also, according to the IPCC, they could implement agroecological infrastructure, such as hedgerows, which would be very beneficial for crops because they protect the soil against erosion and heatwaves if the hedge has different stratification. Additionally, research into hybrid varieties must be more oriented toward varieties that are increasingly resistant to high temperatures and also resistant to several diseases, particularly future ones. For crops with high water requirements like corn, according to a study by the Yvelines Chamber of Agriculture, the idea of replacing it with sorghum could be effective because sorghum has lower water requirements and the same nutritional values.

Potential solutions for sustainable and resilient agriculture in the face of climate and energy challenges

The idea of diversifying production is also supported by choosing several species capable of withstanding different extreme weather phenomena. As for functional adaptation, this would involve changing the agricultural system by converting to organic farming or soil conservation. It has also been proven that organic farming would suffer less yield variation with global warming. Today, 23% of cereals produced by the European Union are used for human consumption, and 62% for livestock. If Europeans produced less meat, there would be more grain to export and therefore less famine. Also, to fight against the surge in energy prices, there are short-term adjustment variables, such as bioethanol and biogas, according to ARTE. The choice of bioethanol and biogas would be more economical because they could be obtained with a mixture of cereals (wheat, rye, corn). This is the case in Germany, where 12% of produced cereals are used for fuel production. Also, the idea of developing anaerobic digesters should be prioritized, where electricity is produced from the fermentation of animal waste.

Implementing training programs for students is a key issue in the transition toward decarbonized and more energy-efficient agriculture.

It is essential that students are trained in environmental issues, as this will help transform the economic models of companies. By providing future leaders with the knowledge and tools necessary to understand the environmental impacts of their activities, they will be able to design more sustainable and less obsolete products, make company operations less energy-intensive, decarbonize purchasing, production, and distribution systems, shorten supply chains, and measure the improvement of various environmental parameters.

It is imperative to act quickly by integrating environmental issues into economic activities to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. According to the IPCC special report on the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, published in August 2021, it is necessary to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to 1.5°C. To achieve these goals, we must turn to carbon-free energy and promote restraint throughout production chains. Once trained in environmental issues, today's students will be at the heart of this energy and post-globalization challenge.

KLIMA School: an example of a business school pioneering applied climate issues

KLIMA School, a business school specializing in environmental issues, offers training programs that include modules on the impacts of climate change and concrete measures to take for decarbonization and energy efficiency. Through practical case study projects, students learn how companies can adopt energy- and carbon-efficient practices in their operations.

For example, KLIMA School programs allow students to focus on case studies of pioneering, sustainable farms that have reduced their dependence on fossil fuels and transitioned to agrivoltaics. Students can also learn how companies can integrate renewable energy sources into their business models, for instance by using solar panels to power their operations or by installing heat recovery or thermal insulation equipment. Furthermore, students can study the various strategies implemented to make supply chains more sustainable and less carbon-intensive, given that agriculture remains a globalized industry. KLIMA School programs also enable students to gain a solid understanding of the various sustainability regulations and initiatives, as well as best practices for implementing sustainable strategies.

We have examined the current challenges facing agriculture in the face of global warming and soaring energy costs. Long-term consequences, solutions, and alternatives have been discussed. For further study, should we return to intensive agriculture to increase exports and meet the urgency of a growing population? Or should we implement self-sufficient agriculture in emerging countries to end their dependencies? Should we change our approach to the energy price problem? It is worth emphasizing that training students in environmental issues is a major challenge for our society. By providing future leaders with the skills needed to understand supply chain levers and develop more sustainable purchasing practices, we can strengthen our ability to transform business models and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable economy that consumes fewer resources and is more respectful of the environment.